Welcome to Satvik Money – a refreshing new journey with money.
Satvik Money is an effort to change the perception and character of money for its possessor – from evil to good. It’s a tribe leading a happy and purposeful life. It’s about improving the mix of ‘Sattva Guna’ in money. Satvik Money is all about a) improving Financial Literacy to learn the right way to earn, save and spend money b) Financial Freedom, and 3) identifying and following your purpose in life. The goal is to lead a purposeful life. The ultimate objective is happiness, peace and satisfaction in our lives.
Money is the most mysterious and misunderstood part of human life. Some of the following quotes exemplify this:
- Love of money is the root of all evil – Bible
- “The lack of money is the root of all evil” ~ Mark Twain
- “Anybody tells you that money is the root of all evil doesn’t have any” ~ Ben Affleck
- “Money poisons you when you’ve got it, and starves you when you haven’t” ~ D. H. Lawrence
- “Money is therefore not only the object but also the fountainhead of greed” ~ Karl Marx
Even the Hindu mythology has a story about the reason for money bringing in evil thoughts. This is the story of King Parikshit and Kalyuga.
At Satvik Money, we discuss that how it is not the money, but the use of money which can be good or bad.
Let’s start with the three characteristics of Money, which can be adapted from the Bhagwad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is the sacred Hindu scripture and is part of the epic Mahabharata. In the Gita, Lord Krishna talks about three qualities or Gunas (tri gunas) which form the character of anything (humans, food, animals, objects). Though these three qualities are present in everything in various degrees, one quality is always more dominant than the others. These three Gunas are:
- Satva Guna: Satva guna manifests itself in balance, calmness, purity, knowledge, and harmony. It is the quality of creativity, goodness and satisfaction.
- Rajas Guna: Rajas represents itself in the form of movement, action and energy. Rajas is characterized by a feeling of arrogance, attachment and desire.
- Tamas Guna: Tamas manifests itself in negativity, impurity, laziness, and inactivity. Its characteristics include anger, depression, ignorance and apathy.
Depending on the influence money has, or its use by its possessor, money can also produce the following characteristics:
- Satva Guna (Satvik):
Having money can bring in peace and happiness due to freedom from running after money. It brings in satisfaction from sharing or donating money. Earning money by following one’s passion or purpose can bring in immense peace. Earning money becomes a means to an end – with the end being achieving a purpose in life.
For example, a Doctor cures ailing patients and earns his fees. In doing so, he derives immense satisfaction, while also earning money.
- Rajas Guna (Rajsik)
Money can bring in arrogance, greed and craving in some people. Such a person will work hard to earn more money. Instead of being a means to an end, earning money becomes an end in itself for such persons. Such a person craves for more money, even if he is already earning a lot. Such people tend to spend money lavishly on shopping, as they believe that ‘objects of desire’ can bring them happiness.
For example: A businessesman devotes his entire life in starting up and then growing his business without being satisfied about any progress. He continues to upgrade his lifestyle and keeps craving for more money and profits. His motivation in growing the business is not his passion for the business, but the profits and market value produced by the enterprise.
- Tamas Guna (Tamasik):
Money can make some people jealous or evil. They become lazy and do not want to work. Such persons insult the poor and disrespect the weak. They may want to accumulate money by wrongful means also. For such people, money is a power which they tend to abuse.
For example: A dacoit wants to get rich quickly by looting others and enjoying the money thus accumulated by spending it on worldly pleasures.
So let’s start earning, saving and spending the Satvik Money. Let’s together begin this wonderful journey of happiness, peace and satisfaction.
